The Ostrich Inn. An impressive 16th century coaching Inn.
The joys of the English countryside, the wonders of rural life. The rich, clean air that revives and invigorates. Lush greens, reds and browns blended to perfection along Peddars Way we arrive weary in body and in mind at Castle Acre. An atmosphere of calm envelopes us and at the village green with its towering Ents, a blessed vision appears before us in the shape of an Inn. 'The Ostrich Inn'. We enter and take our rest.
about the pub
The Ostrich has stood here on the green for over four hundred years and it looks great. Slightly haunted with walls and ceilings askew it still provides the goods. Since new custodians took over in 2009 The Ostrich has undergone a complete transformation. The style is comfy, old England with a dash of the medieval. The décor is lavish and warm, the bar is bright and fully loaded, the larder well stocked. The rooms are luxurious and keenly priced. The ambiance is just right.
The garden has become a secure happy place for all. Parents can relax in the knowledge their children are not climbing things or getting lost. They are cocooned in an enclosed space with just a sandpit and a beach hut. A bit of the beach brought to Castle Acre. Huge brollies shade you and a waiter will bring you anything you desire. Huge car park at rear. See map!
Oliver Cromwells grandmother propped up the bar in the late 15 hundreds whilst teaching her grandson the finer points of regicidal dictatorship perhaps.
Eat, drink, relax, enjoy an unrivaled atmosphere created by its present owners. The combination of food, wine, beer and hospitality is not to be found anywhere else in the county. Experience and a desire to create and inspire have culminated in a product that will continue to surprise.
A team of people have been carefully chosen for their skill and enthusiasm to ensure your experience at the Ostrich is a good one.
our food
Its got to be good, better than good.
A basic philosophy to bring something spectacular to the table without being fussy or too clever. Providing the goods consistently and at value for money.
Firstly we built good relations with our suppliers. There an old saying; “You can murder your wife but never fall out with your butcher”.
The butcher of course is king. King to all men and women. Unless your vegetarian in which case you probably find him unnecessary and you are most entitled to your opinion. Our vegetarian dishes are sublime. Flavoursome to put it in a word. A word not often connected to vegetarian dishes in so many establishments.
The fishmonger. Fish, so underrated a staple with so many species to chose from its mind boggling.
The baker, the greengrocer, the cheese maker, the brewer, the wine merchant, the florist, all vital to our cause and we thank you!
Book a table on 01760 755398.
events at the Ostrich
For over four hundred and fifty years The Ostrich has been peddling its wares…
We have a beautiful muraled function room for large parties during breakfast lunch and dinner.
Dinner, lunch, bed and breakfast deals all Winter so do get in touch.
the rooms
The rooms are comfortable, bright, spacious and most with a green view. Beautiful!
You will not want to leave!
Hours of work
we are open all day from 10am
lunch is served every day 12-3
dinner is served every day 6-9 apart from Sundays
Locations
The delightful village of Castle Acre boasts an extraordinary wealth of history.
Situated on the Peddars Way, a major trade and pilgrim route to Thetford, Bromholm Priory and Walsingham, it is a very rare and complete survival of a Norman planned settlement, including a castle, town, parish church and associated monastery. All this is the work of a great Norman baronial family, the Warennes, mainly during the 11th and 12th centuries.
First came the castle, founded soon after the Conquest by the first William de Warenne, initially as a stone 'country house'. During the first half of the 12th century, however, more disturbed conditions prompted its progressive conversion into a strong keep, further defended by stone walls and an immense system of ditched earthworks. Still impressively visible, these are perhaps the finest village earthworks in England.
Meanwhile, the 'planned town', deliberately established outside the castle, was also protected by ditched earthwork defenses with stone gates. The north or survives, with the main road into the village still running between its towers.
Visitors to Castle Acre can likewise trace the ancient street layout of this now peaceful village, lined with attractive flint or brick houses, before exploring both the great castle earthworks and the extensive priory remains.
